I got a wheel, I'm so excited. I saw this on ebay, and then did some sleuthing on the internet and could not find another one like it to compare prices (any ideas on the wheel would be great). I ended up just working out my max price based on the cost of other wheels on the market - I got it for $100 less than I would have paid! DH was okay with me getting this wheel as it pleased his artistic eye, so would not offend him having it sitting in our tiny apartment. Apparently it runs not that much different from a Louet. Anyway, I have to wait 10 days to get this lovely wheel - can't wait to try it out. Here's a pic for you to drool over.

I bet it's not a "brand" made one. The flyer assembly looks like Louet, so I bet whoever made it used a Louet mother of all and flyer and bobbin assembly. As for the rest of it, it looks hand crafted. What is neat is the way there are pegs on the wheel. I don't know if that is intended to be for your lazy kate or for your skein winder. Great find!!

Thanks for the compliments. I'm in love with it, and and soooo excited - I hate that I have to wait for it though.

Lisa - thanks for the info, I'm actually even more pleased to think that it is hand crafted (or at least parts), it makes it more unique and beautiful to me. The pegs on the wheel are removable and can be used as a skein winder, so said the seller.

Arugula - The treadle is the platform at the bottom (a double treadle, so I can go left or right footed).

I think it's fabulous! Like you said even more so because it is hand crafted. If they did use a Louet for the flyer, at least you will be able to buy extra bobbins etc. That would be the key to the wheel.....finding out what type of bobbins fit it so you can accessorize it if you want to.

Lisa - this is what information was written about ratio: ratios: original 2-speed bobbin 1:4 and 1:5.5 two added bobbins 1:6.5

I have no idea what that means, so if I'm answering your question wrong, I'm sorry. I will be learning to spin with this wheel (and if it's not a success - which I doubt - at least it will be an excellent decorative item). I jumping in with both feet eh?

They also wrote this about the wheel (which it what convinced me that I wanted it - they specialize in wheels):
"When I test drove this wheel I was pleasantly surprised. Being used to spinning on Louet wheels, Iím not easily impressed by the performance of other wheels, but in this case I was. It runs very smoothly and steadily. And apart from the normal rustling, itís very quiet, no squeaking or grinding. The lady we bought it from was an enthusiastic spinner herself and she has taken very good care of the wheel.

The treadle covers the whole base, like the Fricke wheels, therefore you can treadle with both feet, or switch from left to right and give the tired leg a rest. There are four pegs in the wheel that function as skein winder. They can be taken out when spinning and put in again for skeining. " :D

Those ratio's are the different speeds you can actually spin your yarn.

Meaning basically that you will have a nice slow to average spinning speed. It is not a fast wheel. You won't be spinning anything very fine like lace weight unless you absolutely treadle your legs off. But, if you are like me, that really doesnt interest you. I like a wheel with the ratio's yours has.

Some wheels spin as fast as 19:1 or even 40:1.......now that is absolutely flying! The faster it spins the finer the yarn you can get out of it is what I understand.